What is Balanitis?

Balanitis is swelling of the foreskin or head of the penis. According to the National Health Service UK, balanitis is a common condition that affects an estimated one in 20 males. It also accounts for one in 10 cases of visits to a sexual health clinic or urology clinic by adult men (NHS).

Balanitis is a condition that largely occurs in uncircumcised men. Balanitis can be a painful condition, but it isn’t a serious one. It can usually be relieved using topical medication.

What Causes Balanitis to Develop?

The main cause of balanitis is poor hygiene. Poor hygiene causes harmful bacteria to overpopulate the area, which can lead to infection. The foreskin of the penis is an ideal place for bacteria to grow.

Injuries on the tip of the penis or foreskin can also cause swelling.

Irritation in the area can also cause balanitis. Irritation can arise from:

not rinsing soap completely off of your penis after showering

using scented soaps to clean the penis

using bar soap that dries out the skin

using scented lotions or sprays on the penis

Some medications like laxatives, sleeping pills, painkillers, and antibiotics can cause balanitis as a side effect. This is called a fixed drug eruption.

Less common causes of balanitis include:

reactive arthritis

uncontrolled diabetes

sexually transmitted diseases like herpes and gonorrhea

Recognizing the Symptoms of Balanitis

The most apparent signs of balanitis are swelling and a red appearance to the foreskin. Aside from redness and swelling, these symptoms may also be present:

tightened foreskin

discharge

itchy genitals

pain in the genital area

painful skin on the penis

If the tip of your penis is swollen, it can put pressure on your urethra. This can cause pain when urinating.

Diagnosing Balanitis

Since the majority of balanitis signs are visible, it can usually be diagnosed during a physical examination. If discharge is present, your doctor may take a sample of the discharge using a cotton swab. The sample is then checked for the presence of bacterial, viral, or fungal cells. The results will help determine what caused the balanitis.

In some cases, the cause isn’t immediately apparent, so you may need a more invasive test for diagnosis. One such test is a biopsy. Your doctor will remove a small piece of tissue from the penis for examination. The sample is checked for signs of a disease. You will be given local anesthesia before the doctor collects the sample.

Treating Balanitis

Before applying any treatment option, it is important to avoid using irritants such as perfumed soap, lotion, or powder. This prevents further irritation of the foreskin.

Medication

After a diagnosis, you will likely be prescribed a medicated anti-itch cream. This cream works to stop the itching and inflammation. Instead of prescribing a medication, some doctors suggest using an over-the-counter cream to treat the area.

In case of an infection, you will be prescribed an antibiotic medication to help clear it. In some cases, this may be all that’s needed to stop the inflammation, swelling, itching, and discharge.

Medicated creams containing powerful steroids may also be prescribed to reduce inflammation.

Complications of Balanitis

The best way to reduce your chances of developing complications from balanitis is to seek treatment right away. Possible complications of balanitis include:

scarring in the penis opening

painful foreskin retraction

inadequate blood supply to the penis

allergic dermatitis (allergic skin reaction)

Allergic dermatitis symptoms such as extreme itching, rash, hives, and inflamed skin can lead to scarring. Scar tissue in the penis opening can cause the opening to narrow. This can lead to lasting discomfort and difficulty urinating.

Some men are unable to retract the foreskin; this condition is called phimosis. Phimosis is not a complication of acute balanitis, but it is a complication of long standing (chronic) balanitis.